Feeling depressed and like I’ll never find love

I've been where you are, some days I still am. Things recently are looking up more for me though. The point of saying this? Things do change, sometimes you have to face the anxiety and sadness to make them, but it happens. The best thing I've done for myself in the past few years is come to this site, even though I have to keep that a secret. Are there support groups in your area for lesbians or LGBTQIA+ people? Or a group for a hobby you have? What you need is a support network it sounds like, and these would help you make one

 

Sounds like you and I have similarities in our situations then, I live in a small town in the south. Except my family is the main thing holding me back. Would your parents be supportive? In the meantime, try reaching out to people here, the vast majority of people I have interacted with are nice

 

I know people, here actually, that are interested in at least one of those things. Besides, they don't have to be common amongst our age group to make friends at least (now a romantic partner is a different story with that probably I know, but friends are nice to have too). I feel like a decent amount of people in their twenties do like to bake though, I would myself if I knew what I was doing hahaha!

 

It really is hard, if you live in the south you know how it is... I plan to escape/flee this place one day, but I wish I didn't have to. I was friends with a lot of people that ended up being like us a long time ago- now I have three in real life. It does get lonely when you don't have much support. So utilize this site to make friends, this is a very supportive community.

 

Hey, your post really resonated with me. I feel the exact same, except I feel like I'm probably more emotionally unstable than you. So I feel like more of my problems are my fault - but that's irrelevant, sorry. What I guess I really want to say is you're not alone. I feel completely alone right now, but recently I blocked two people who cared about me at first but who made me uncomfortable, and when I go through times like that I start to spiral emotionally. Pair that with feelings of unrequited love I don't ever remember living without and a lack of friendships on my end too, and I guess you get a really toxic mix. But none of this is your fault. You deserve love, and friends, and those things will come.

Things feel very dark for me right now, I feel emotionally empty and like I'm starting to let my compassion fatigue overtake me. I feel myself fading away from people who once cared about me, descending into my own kind of lonely madness. I hope you're not quite where I am yet. But like the other users have said, please use this site as much as you need for support and to make friends. And hopefully the people on here will be able to help you as much as, in lighter times, they have been able to help me.

 

E-hugs, AnxiousReader. I live in a very small rural northern town.

 

Hey @AnxiousReader how did your week go and how are you feeling today? I'm sorry you've felt so lonely but glad for your sister. How about talk with parents about your sadness? I like baking and cooking too and seems like women your age run food blogs. I'm sorry about FL. Can you take Uber or similar to go out if you want or how about ebikes to increase your mobility freedom? Hang in there and we're here for you!

 

Hey life can definitely be tough and isolating at times. Does your sister also live at home? Does she have a car? Are there any opportunities to volunteer or anything in the local area? It’s not a perfect solution but sometimes it can help. Whilst on line friends are no replacement for real life ones I agree with the above posters that EC can be a great place to chat to people whilst you are working on that same thing in real life.

 

Hey @AnxiousReader

Have you checked out meetup.com for your area? You can search on any keyword that might apply to you and see what’s around. Either by age (20s, 30s), lgbt-related (use all the words because it could be anything; queer, gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc), hobby/activity…. You get the idea. Just see if there’s anything of interest where you might spend a nice hour or two with new people. It won’t instantly make you new friends but you’ll definitely get a little mood booster each time you go. And that could lead to making real friends.

Another thought is finding something you’d like to learn and sign up for a set of “lessons”. Whether it’s a “learn to run” club (my favourite because you instantly have a common goal and struggle ;} ) or a set of pottery lessons, for example, anything like this will necessarily lift your general self esteem because you can’t help but improve at whatever it is. And that always feels good.

Anyway, good luck. You’ve got this.

 

Sorry, A.R. Loneliness is overwhelming and painful. Since your friends keep leaving perhaps you will consider some therapy.

Develop other interests; you might meet someone in an endeavor. I told my kids to relax; they will meet someone in a grocery line. Take prescription drugs to reduce your anxiety and if your anxiety shows and you can mute it, all the better.

No easy answer but good luck to you